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O Lord, may I never want to look good. O Jesus, may I…

“O Lord, may I never want to look good. O Jesus, may I always read it all: out loud and the very way it should be. May I never look at the other findings until I have come to my own true conclusions: May I care for the least of the young: and become aware of the one poem that each may have written…” quote by Theodore Roethke
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“O Lord, may I never want to look good. O Jesus, may I always read it all: out loud and the very way it should be. May I never look at the other findings until I have come to my own true conclusions: May I care for the least of the young: and become aware of the one poem that each may have written; may I be aware of what each thing is, delighted with form, and wary of the false comparison; may I never use the word "brilliant."”

Theodore Roethke

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A prayer for humility, authenticity, and deep attention to one’s own insights, avoiding superficial judgments and false comparisons.

In simple terms: Seek true understanding and avoid shallow judgments.

Key Takeaway

Embrace humility and genuine observation.

Themes

humility authenticity mindfulness compassion

Mood

reflective thoughtful inspirational

Type

philosophical ethical literary

When to use this quote

  • personal writing
  • educational reading
  • child welfare advocacy
  • critical thinking
  • art appreciation

Key Concepts

self‑reflection ethical awareness aesthetic appreciation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you balance humility with confidence?
  • When is comparison useful?
A Different Perspective

The call for absolute purity may be unrealistic; some comparison can be constructive.

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